How the Marquess Was Won
Author: Julie Anne Long
Publisher: HarperCollins/Avon
Pub. Date: December 27, 2012
ISBN-13: 978-0061885693
Pages: 384
Digital Price: $4.99
Print Retail Price: $7.99
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The Scandal Sheets call him Lord Ice.

Ruthless, cold, precise, Julian Spenser, Marquess Dryden, tolerates only the finest— in clothes, in horseflesh, in mistresses. And now he’s found the perfect bride, the one whose dowry will restore his family’s shattered legacy and bring him peace at last: the exquisite heiress Lisbeth Redmond.

She’s about to play with fire…

But one unforgettable encounter with Lisbeth’s paid companion, Phoebe Vale, and the Marquess is undone. This quiet girl with the wicked smile and a wit to match is the first person to see through the icy façade to the fiery man beneath. But their irresistible attraction is a torment as sweet as it is dangerous, for surrendering to their desire could mean losing everything else they ever wanted.

~*~*~

REVIEW

An unconventional woman is bound to inspire the abandonment of propriety in a man…

Looking forward to a life of missionary pursuits and teaching young girls, Phoebe Vale spends her spare time inhaling the scandal sheets, and dreaming about the life of the ton. She doesn’t truly wish to join their ranks, but years of reading books inspire a longing to experience the decadence. When her previous student, Lisbeth Redmond, invites her to country house party to act as a paid chaperone Phoebe accepts—a chance to earn the last of the funds needed to begin her own adventure. What she doesn’t know is that her adventure has already begun.

Marquess Dryden, known as Lord Ice, has descended upon the Redmond house party with the goal of marrying Lisbeth, and regaining the last piece of land his father lost in gamble. His intimates call him Julian. He’s the epitome of propriety and the ton’s adored playboy. Julian is known for his determination, and his calculating control. Yet, when he meets Phoebe the hold on his control suddenly derails. She’s everything bright and untainted, possessing wit that rolls of the tongue, challenging and taunting his very beliefs. Can he push aside his sudden awareness of a woman that he can only obtain through secrecy or will he abandon his goals for a chance at something wonderful?

Long’s next tale in the Pennyroyal Green series is decidedly delicious. At first I was a little taken aback by the idea that this book’s main characters did not feature a Redmond or an Eversea, but my fears were quickly put to rest. The characters of Phoebe and Julian are a pure delight. Phoebe is no simpering miss, she’s keen and intelligent. While Phoebe is not entirely knowledgeable about the ways to move within the ton, she’s quick to determine motives and ferret out secrets hiding in a person’s eyes. These traits, along with her ability to speak her mind, quickly endeared her to me. Julian, of course a tortured hero, was an immediate favorite. At first he appears arrogant and dismissive to those beneath him, but early on, this initial assessment is thrown to the rocks. His duty and desire to redeem his family name is just one facet of this character.

Secondary characters are just as absorbing. I found that Long portrayed the ton action’s similar to those obsessed with the trends of celebrities, quickly adopting any practice, insane or not, for the sake of appearing at the height of fashion. The determination of who leads the fashion movement are just as entertaining, with Julian, unfortunately, being at the forefront. The main characters interactions together and apart create plenty of tension and hilarious moments. Let’s just say that I’ve never known a marquess to scream, unless in pleasure, but Long changed that for me.

My only issue with this story is that I didn’t feel that Phoebe received justice when all the events played out. Her character goes through a rough ride, and I wanted more redemption on her behalf at the end. An HEA just wasn’t enough for me. Long has also primed everyone for more Pennyroyal books as more hints to Olivia and Lyon’s estrangement are scattered throughout the story. This left me in shambles because I have to wait for it!

Overall, this book has intelligence, a well-paced plot, and characters that seem to jump off the pages; even if the events don’t turn out the way one expects. While, it’s not my favorite Pennyroyal Green book this one definitely takes points for going outside the box, and gives us a unique way to see the ‘popular boy’ fall in love with ‘the geek girl’.

For those who enjoy Anna Campbell.
Rating: 4 (Very Good)

Heat-Level: 4 (Hot)

Reviewed by Landra

Comment and enter to win your own copy of HOW THE MARQUESS WAS WON

4 Starshistoricals
By Avon Books, Reviews57 Comments on Review & Giveaway: How the Marquess Was Won by Julie Anne Long

57 Replies to “Review & Giveaway: How the Marquess Was Won by Julie Anne Long”

  1. I loved this book! Much of it was very funny. Several parts were poignant. The characterizations were excellently done.
    It got a “*’ in my notebook – my highest rating. Of course, most of Julie Anne Long’s books have. They are always interesting. 🙂

  2. I’ve read so many great reviews about this book — now I’m even more curious!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

  4. Thank you for the review. I would love to read”How the Marquess Was Won” thank you.

  5. I haven’t read any of Ms Long’s stories. I’m not sure why I’ve missed her as I love historical romance. Your review has me intriqued, a questionable HEA for Phoebe HMMM….

  6. All of the Pennyroyal Green books have been a delight to read. This addition to the series should be no exception.

  7. Julie Anne Long is an author I can always count on for a good story. Thanks for the review and the giveaway —

  9. You always have such great reviews on your site . Julie Ann is one of my favorite Authors and I would love to read n “How The Marquess Was Won”.

  11. I must admit that I adore the Pennyroyal series. One of the reasons I enjoy it so much is that just when you think you’ll be able to anticipate what will happen next there is a surprise waiting just around the corner.

    I appreciate that the reality of Phoebe not receive justiceis addressed in the story. As is true in real life all too often sometimes the hardships and disappointments along the way make the end result that much more important and meaningful.

  12. I really need to read this book! I have read some of Julie Ann Long’s other books and loved them, so this needs to be in my TBR list! By your review I am sure I would love it!

  13. i’ve been enjoying the pennyroyal series so far, such interesting families & secondary characters involved. thanks for the review & giveaway.

  14. JAL’s Pennyroyal Green series is fantastic! Hey, I’m reading a PEOPLE mag. lol! I guess I’m ‘inhaling the scandal sheet’. I look forward to reading MARQUESS. And again…another beautiful cover.

  15. The review sounds amazing & the PennyRoyal series is one of my favorites! Thank you for such an awesome chance to read How the Marquess was won!

  17. I am sorry that I did not hear about this series sooner ! I am now going to have to go peruse my library so I can read it all for myself !

  19. Feel like I don’t need to read the book with a review like that. Tells me all I need to know. I can fill in the HOT scenes myself. Might eventually read it though.

  21. I have not actually read any of Julie Ann Long’s books, but I keep hearing/reading so many good reviews that I really want to. Perhaps I should go back and start at the beginning of the Pennyroyal Green series, yes?

  22. I *just* got started on Julie Anne Long’s books, so I’d love to add this one to my collection. Thanks for the review and the chance to win!

  23. I have heard some great things about this book. I would love to read it. Love the cover, its beautiful.

  24. I enjoyed this book, too. Julian was a great hero and Phoebe had a way of sizing up a person. The only negative was that JAL dropped a few plot threads. One example is that Julian wanted to enroll his niece at Phoebe’s school, then nothing more was said about it.

  26. This is a series that I haven’t read as yet but it sounds like a good one to me after reading your review.

  27. ‘How the Marquess was Won’ is making my Nook wave and say ‘buy it’! It’s going into my TBR pile for sure. 🙂

    Thanks for a well-written review, Landra.

  28. Thanks for the review. Don’t enter me in the contest; I’ve already bought this one. I love Julie Anne’s books!

  31. I have heard so many great things about this novel and after I read the review I knew that I had to read this. Love the Marquises, Dukes, Earls, and all the other Lords and Ladies. Regency romance novels rock my world. I’am dying to read this. Thanks for the opportunity to have a chance to get a copy of the book. The cover is amazingly sinful and delicious. This book would be good to read on my community or on my kindle. Thanks Beverley.

  33. These sounds like my kind of characters; smart heroine and her tortured hero. A few months ago I really took notice of Julie Anne Long’s books and I antipate reading one of hers in the near future.

  34. Wow, that sounds like a great book and I look forward to reading it! What a great story!

  36. I’ve always enjoyed Julie Anne Long’s books and I’m looking forward to reading this latest Pennyroyal Green book.

  37. I always love to read books. What usually grabs my attention is how doomed the male can be by a quiet female. I’m actually really interested in this book. It sounds fun and by the looks of it has lots of laughs. Poor Marques is doomed. Mwuahahaha.

  38. I still have a ways to catch up on this series, but the plot of this one sounds irresistible. The “geek girl” heroine is certainly one after my own heart.

  39. I’ve read a couple of Julie Anne’s books and they were great. I’d love to read this one also. Please enter me.

  40. This sounds like such a lovely story! I enjoy Ms Long’s books very much. I will have to add this to my wish list.

  41. Thank you for the review! I’ve heard great things about the Pennyroyal Green series and HOW THE MARQUESS WAS WON really sounds good.

  43. Great review, makes me want to read it just to check out Long! I agree with you, sometimes a HEA just isn’t enough. Sometimes there needs to be something more to feel complete closure for the characters. But as well written as this sounds I might be able to over look that =)

  45. I like it when an author goes outside the box. Cookie cutter situations and responses to them become too predictable. I don’t want characters that fit a mold and do exactly what we expect them to. What’s the fun in that? this has been a good series and I look frward to reading HOW THE MARQUESS WAS WON.

  46. JAL is one of my favorite authos. Loved everything I’ve ever read written by her. Looking forward to reading this latest in her Pennyroyal Green series.

  50. OMG!!!! This is the only book that I haven’t have from her Pennyroyal series. I love them all!!! Julie Anne Long is such an amazing writer, looking forward to reading this book.

  51. Great review Landra, this book sounds great, I’ve never read a book from this author before.

  53. Great cover and review. Can’t wait to read How the Marquess Was Won. Thanks for the giveaway.

    e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

  54. I love her. And this book sounds so good. 🙂 I’d really enjoy a chance to erin it & read it.

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